The theme of International Women’s Day for 2022 is ‘Breaking the bias’. Researchers at Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, Monash University, have chosen this day to ‘break the silence’ on early menopause, to launch their new evidenced based App for women Ask Early Menopause. Developed by women for women, and with multidisciplinary early menopause expert input, the App includes women’s stories, evidence-based information, animation and a personalised dashboard to help women manage early menopause and premature ovarian insufficiency. Development of the App was undertaken as part of the CRE in Women’s Health in Reproductive Life (CRE-WHiRL) and builds on previous work from the NHMRC partnership project, Healthtalk Australia Early Menopause Digital Resource where AMS was a project partner.

The App is to be launched by guest speaker, Professor Beverley Vollenhoven AM, former AMS board member, at an online event on March 7 2022, which will include expert speakers and a Q&A session. We hope that you and the women with early menopause you care for can join us.

Clinical A/Prof Amanda Vincent
Head of Early Menopause research, Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, Monash University
Endocrinologist, Menopause Clinic, Monash Health
AMS Past President

Breaking the Silence on Early Menopause594.87 KB 

13 September 2021: 

Back in May, Sandoz, the supplier of Estradot and Estalis applied to delist these medications from the Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme (PBS) as they were not financially viable. The AMS in collaboration with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaeocologists (RANZCOG) and the Endocrine Society of Australia (ESA) wrote to Minister Hunt expressing our concern about access to Estradot and Estalis and the potential health outcomes if these medications were to be delisted from the PBS.

Following further discussions, Sandoz agreed to apply to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) for a price increase instead of delisting Estradot and Estalis from the PBS. Again, in collaboration with RANZCOG and ESA, AMS wrote a joint letter of support to PBAC for a price increase, rather than them being delisted from the PBS.

AMS is now happy to advise that the PBAC has agreed to the price increase for Estradot and Estalis from 1 October. This price increase means that these medications will remain on the PBS and support continuous and sustainable supply to the Australian market. While many women will need to pay more for these medications from 1 October, importantly, women on a healthcare card will only need to pay the concession price. A letter from Sandoz is attached for further information.

HCP Letter Estradot Estalis Sep 2021